ArtPrize Top 25 'Dragon' disqualified

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A Top 25 ArtPrize piece is not going to win any awards this year because ArtPrize officials say the piece is more than three years old and violates one of the rules of the ArtPrize competition.

24 Hour News 8 obtained the letter written by exhibition director Kevin Buist telling artist Robin Protz that her piece, "The Dragon", violated one of the rules of the ArtPrize competition.

" As a matter of procedure, we review the Top 25 trending ArtPrize entries to ensure that they are in compliance with these rules. We noticed a discrepancy with your entry, "The Dragon." Rule 5, section (e) states that an entry must be completed within three (3) years of the start of the ArtPrize event, in this case Sept. 19, 2009. We have evidence to believe and have determined that "The Dragon" is in violation of this rule and has therefore been disqualified from competition. We considered this matter very carefully, and concluded that the more recent activities of maintenance and reinstallation do not extend the production date of the work as we define it" the letter states.

Organizers wrote Protz could continue to exhibit her entry throughout the competition, but she would not be eligible for an award.

Brian Burch, an ArtPrize spokesperson, tells 24 Hour News 8 the issue arose from evidence organizers found after the announcement of the Top 25 entries. Part of the evidence against her included a video on Protz's YouTube page that shows an exhibit called "Nelligan The Dragon" . ArtPrize officials believe the exhibit in the video, made in 2008, is identical to the exhibit at the Amway Grand Plaza.

"The rules are very clear in this case," Brian Burch said.

In response, Protz released a statement saying: " I feel, because my piece is in the top 25, my honesty and integrity has been questioned.

I fully understand the position of the ArtPrize board (fear of the press) but would like to note, if I questioned the validity of entering ‘The Dragon’ (as a piece completed in the last 3 years) I could have simply taken the video off my website, thereby destroying the information causing the question or concern. My thought was that it would be self evident to anyone viewing the video that the piece entered in ArtPrize was related, but not the same.

I am honest and felt I had nothing to hide.

My art form is new. It is not some idea I’ve copied, but a hard earned gift of ability that is impossible to describe, difficult to photograph, painstaking to build – and I would have hoped not easily judged.

Comprised of over 4000 lines with 40-50 thousand buttons and beads, floating with only itself to compare to, I believe changes I make affect the total sculpture but are not noticeable to anyone but me. They add to the flow of the piece and are often only millimeters – or just a small group of 4 buttons. Lines are moved forward, backward, right, and left on the support grid. The visual part of the sculpture is moved up or down on the lines, which are then repositioned until I have the effect I want .This process is continual.

Just as the ArtPrize committee has chosen to use the film of Nelligan, the first dragon, to question the age of my entry, I will use it to defend ‘The Dragon’. Readily available for comparison are the differences of the screen, hooks, hanging lines (left for adjustments), the support system and the actual measurements. Other sculptural changes are unfortunately not provable.

The Dragon is alive, and until it is permanently installed will not be a completed piece.

I would like to thank ArtPrize, despite their decision, for the great opportunity to present my art, this year and last, to the public. I would also like to thank my venue, the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, and to apologize for bringing this disgrace into their lovely, and loving, facility. My hosts, Jayma and Tom have been wonderfully kind and entertaining.

Lastly, and most important, THANK YOU ALL who have visited and enjoyed ‘The Dragon’.